Travel Gift Ideas - No Matter Who's On Your List

Are you struggling with trying to find a unique and appreciated gift this season?

Do you have everyone from bookworms to adrenaline junkies on your gift list? Everybody has a special interest or hobby and travel is a great gift to acknowledge that activity, provide a new and unique way to enjoy that pursuit, and create lifetime memories.

While major milestones are often celebrated with bucket list vacations, you don’t need a momentous occasion to give the gift of travel. Here is a sampling of a few travel experiences sure to be loved and remembered that might not come immediately to mind when constructing your shopping list:

• Animal Lovers - visit the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre in Malawi; volunteer for Sea Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica
• Adventure Junkies – bungee jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge; live in a yurt on the Mongolian plain
• Book Lovers – Da Vinci Code tour; Literary Pub Crawl in Dublin; tour the Alexandria Library
• Culinary Fans – truffle hunting in Italy; cooking class with Michelin star chef in Mexico
• Dance Enthusiasts – enjoy Tango lessons in Buenos Aires; Salsa clubbing in Havana; learn to Waltz in Vienna
• Fun Seekers – Zipline thru the Rainforest;  race rickshaws through the streets of Siem Reap; drive a dog sled in Alaska
• Sports Enthusiasts – golf at St. Andrews; ski the French Alps; learn to scuba dive off the Great Barrier Reef
• Speed Demons – drive a Ferrari racing car on a track in Italy; participate in an America’s Cup style race in New Zealand
• Theater Fans – see a production at the Globe Theatre in London; a play at the Odeon in Athens; opera in Venice.
• Well-being Enthusiasts – learnTai Chi in Beijing; practice yoga with a guru in India
• Wine Lovers – learn to blend in Provence; harvest grapes in Chile; tour the Australian Wine Country

The list of unique experiences available while traveling is limitless. And, the memories will last a lifetime, unlike most of the “stuff” that we buy?

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Holiday Travel Survival Guide

Can you name the three busiest travel days of the year, in order? (Answers are below)

It’s that most wonderful time of the year. Sleigh rides, mistletoe, pumpkin pie, roasting turkey, family reunions, and….. holiday travel. Gulp.

Thanksgiving to New Year is the busiest travel stretch of the year. And the week of Thanksgiving is unrivaled for the number of people taking to the skies. But, holiday travel doesn’t have to turn you into a Scrooge. With a little planning and the right attitude, you can survive any crowded airport or travel delay the season brings your way.

Early, early, early to the airport. There is no such thing as too early for holiday travel. If all is seamless, you’ll enjoy a croissant and coffee as you watch fellow passengers stress out. If the security line is longer than expected or you run into a traffic delay en-route to the airport, you’ll have a safety cushion built in.

Take advantage of all possible shortcuts. Check in on line – and make sure your cell number is in your ticketing record. Print your boarding pass or download it to your phone. Avoid parking at the airport – taxi, Uber, or have a friend drop you off. Pre-program necessary numbers into your phone so they are handy - airline, car rental, hotels, family/friends. Download the airlines’ app - there isn’t a faster way to get updates if you are delayed.

Pack light. Ship the gifts ahead; don’t bring them with you. If you only have a carry-on, you’ll save the time and cost of luggage check and collection. You’ll avoid the stress of a misplaced bag. And, you won’t worry about what the luggage handlers broke when they dropped a bowling ball on your bag.

Stay well-fed. Low blood sugar will make you cranky and stress you even more. Bring some nutritious snacks (no – gummies and goldfish crackers do not qualify) to munch on. Enjoy a meal during that long layover I recommended you build into your holiday flight schedule!

Keep your sense of humor. It’s crowded, flights are full, delays are inevitable, tempers are short. But, hey, it’s the holidays. Smile. Take a deep breath. Relax. Enjoy.

Answers, in order:

1. Sunday after Thanksgiving (Nov 26)
2. Wednesday before Thanksgiving (Nov 22)
3. Friday before Thanksgiving (Nov 17)

Are you planning to travel during the holiday season this year?

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All Inclusive Resort Pros and Cons

Think all-inclusive resorts are only in the Caribbean and Mexico? How about the Maldives, Thailand, China, Japan, Africa, Italy, Morocco? French Alps for skiing anyone?

Adults only with emphasis on romance. Singles resorts. Family oriented with dedicated kid camps and staff. Sports and activity oriented. Focused activities such as ski resorts and dive resorts. Cultural immersion resorts. You name it, there’s probably an all-inclusive resort dedicated to it.

Disclaimer. I used to have a very snobby attitude towards all-inclusive resorts. I thought of them as an “Americanized” means for people to visit Mexico or the Dominican Republic. The last few months have been a bit of an epiphany for me and I thought I’ d share some pros and cons to this vacation option.

Pros

• All-inclusive. Well, duh. Not coming home to a huge credit card bill is probably number one when considering the advantages. Activities, drinks, food, entertainment are all part of the package.
• Unpack once. You have a home for a week or two or three. The nomadic lifestyle is for another vacation.
• Activities galore. Tennis, sailing, paddle boarding, golfing, skiing (water or snow), snorkeling, volleyball, hiking, biking, yoga, Zen meditation, cooking classes, wine tasting, and on and on and on. You can’t be bored at an all-inclusive unless you’re trying. This includes the kids!
• Relax and chill. Want to just enjoy some quiet R&R? Spas, private plunge pools, private lanais or balconies are waiting for you.

Cons

• Little interaction with local culture. This applies primarily to the gated resorts where you stay on property your entire vacation. Some people love this while others loathe it. Picking the right resort to meet your expectations will alleviate this con.
• Too regimented. Yes, frequently, activities and mealtimes have scheduled windows of availability. But, room service and light meal options are always offered between scheduled dining. And, if an activity time isn’t to your liking, you can opt for a private lesson or schedule your own activity time.
• One size fits all. This is true within each individual resort. I mean, if you go to a ski resort in the Alps, it is assumed that you will want to play in the snow. And, if you’re a multi-generational family, you’ll want to go where there’s a good kids’ program.

Recap

An all-inclusive resort isn’t for everyone. But, they are more diverse and flexible that many people realize.

A specialist is vital to find the resort that’s right for you and meets your group’s expectations. Whether it’s team building, multi-generational family reunion, destination wedding, sporting group, it’s critical to have a good fit.

What type of all-inclusive would you pick for YOUR group?

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Why Group Travel Is the Best!

Some people have a misconception that group travel means getting on a bus and being herded from one stop to another. Technically, that is a group. In reality, it’s a bunch of individuals who happen to be on the same tour.

My definition of group travel is traveling with people we already have a connection with; friends, family, club members, alumni - you get the idea. Whether you go on a cruise, hang out at a resort, or take a customized trip – the bottom line is enjoying the experience with your favorite peeps.

Let’s be clear. There are occasions when non-group travel is the perfect choice – A reflective solo journey, a romantic getaway, or perhaps a visit to your ancestral home.

But, in most cases, group travel, in my opinion, is the best way to travel. Traveling with like-minded individuals is just plain fun. You share your experiences with your friends or family instead of telling them about it when you get home. I love traveling with a group. Ask my family – I’m always trying to get them to meet on a cruise or visit a destination together. And, I enjoy traveling with others so much, it’s my specialty.

Family travel. Most of us have fond (okay, maybe some not-so-fond) memories of traveling with our immediate families. The family vacation is always highly anticipated and fantastic fun. Now, multiply that by 2 or 3 or more families. Not just the immediate family, but aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. For the kids, there is immediate companionship. The adults can reconnect and enjoy some adult time with each other. And the whole family will have memories to share for a lifetime.

Friends. Unlike relatives, you get to pick your friends! So, who better to travel with? Whether it is a few couples who share a passion for wine, or a Santa Claus convention. And, yes, I was once on a Caribbean cruise with about 100 Santa and Mrs. Claus’s. Gave a new definition for “Christmas In July”. Seeing Santas in the tropics wearing holiday-themed shorts and tees was very surreal.

Solos. Find a travel group for solos. There are plenty out there. Of course, I’d love for you to travel with me, but maybe the destinations I pick aren’t your cup of tea. Someone out there has what you’re looking for. Not only do you not have to try and talk someone into going with you, you have anywhere from 6 – 20 new instant best friends to travel with. Bonus: all your vacay pictures won’t be selfies!

Value. Depending on where you are headed, there are definite savings in traveling as a group. Most hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators will offer a discount if enough people are traveling together.

Perks. Besides offering discounts, many suppliers will offer some extra amenities to groups such as wine, private entrances and showings, dedicated concierge, etc.

Is group travel harder to plan and execute? Yes. But, you have me to take care of all the details!

Seriously, whether you do it yourself or let me help, group travel is more fun, more memorable, and more value.

Have you experienced travel with a group? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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Be a Roadrunner at Airport Security

 I get asked all the time if there is a trick or special sauce to get through airport security faster. While some of the process is out of our control, such as length of lines or how many security personnel are on point, there are many things you can do to speed yourself along and mitigate delays:

1) Have your ID and boarding pass out and ready to hand to the TSA agent. If you use your cell phone, take a screen shot of the boarding pass to avoid internet connection disruption.

2) Wear slip-on shoes. Unless you are 12 and under or 75 and over, you have to take your shoes off to go through the screening machines. Wear shoes that don’t require lacing, buckling, or boots that are difficult to get on/off. And on that note, I recommend a pair of socks (sans holes!) for going through screening. Change into your flip-flops or sandals after you’re finished at the checkpoint.

3) Don’t wear a belt. If you must, place it in an easy to get to pocket on your carryon and wait until you clear security before putting it on.

4) Place your liquids in an accessible compartment. There’s enough going on without rooting through your bags trying to find the little baggie.

5) Remove everything from your pockets, including loose change and place in your purse or backpack. Remove bulky jewelry and watches. If you don’t have a purse or backpack, put all loose items in one of the small baskets provided to decrease the likelihood of forgetting something.

6) If you are traveling with a laptop, pull it out and place in a bin. Or purchase a TSA approved carrying case. Otherwise, you’ll have your bag searched. If you don’t have a TSA case, place it in a bin with your shoes if they’ll fit. You’re less likely to walk off and forget it after screening. Laptops and small electronics are the most frequent items left behind at security checkpoints. And, it doesn’t hurt to tape a business card or small ID card with your name and cell to the laptop just in case.

7) If there is a long line, check out other security access points. Many airports have more than one screening area within a terminal. For example, there may be a screening area for gates 1- 15 and another for gates 16 - 30. But, you have access to all 30 after exiting the checkpoint. More than once I’ve seen lengthy lines at one checkpoint and no waiting at another. The TSA doesn’t care which one you use.

8) Get TSA Pre-Check. If you travel more than once or twice a year, this is really worth considering. It’s $85 - $100 for five years, depending on which version you select. TSA Pre-Check allows you to leave your shoes and jacket on, your toiletries and laptop snug in your bag, and a separate line that is usually shorter and definitely speedier!

And after you zip through security, you can relax, sit-back and enjoy a coffee or cocktail and watch everyone else scurry around! Beep beep!

Click here for TSA site.